Darwin’s Islands is an unforgettable Art Safari painting holiday to the Galapagos Islands and we’re excited to be returning to the northern and southern islands in 2026.

This barefoot painting expedition includes an 8-day cruise around the archipelago, including San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Rabida, Bartolome, Española and Floreana.

Expect to see volcanoes, giant tortoises, untouched coastlines, amazing sea life and extraordinary birds and reptiles on land. Sketching and painting here is all round fun as well as an exciting exploration in wildlife, history and geology.

“The Galapagos is my dream place, I have been obsessed with it since I was little and I’m so excited to be going back again after my first visit 19 years ago!” – Tom Shepherd

Charles Darwin took this voyage aboard the HMS Beagle in 1831, and it shaped his theories of evolution through natural selection.  We see and sketch many of the species Darwin studied on these rugged and beautiful islands.  We also learn much about contemporary conservation and how the islanders live alongside fantastical creatures.

Our artistic adventure starts in Quito where we rest for one night in a lovely Spanish style hotel with hummingbirds flitting in the garden.  The next day we fly to San Cristobal to spend three nights on the Island, staying on the pretty beachfront with wonderful views.  From the hotel decking we can sketch iguana, turtles and sea lions as they bask or glide past in crystal-clear water.

During our days on land we ease into the sunny island rhythm of the Galapagos, sketching and painting local wildlife on the shores and everyday scenes of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, a peaceful and charming fishing town.

After exploring San Cristobal with our paints and relaxing, we board our private charter luxury motor yacht the Coral II, shared with photographers and nature people from a company we work closely with in the UK.  The Coral II is a super comfortable boat, small enough to anchor close to shore in interesting places, and with spacious cabins for us all.

Our Captain and friendly crew of 10 look after us and make each day special, and two English-speaking naturalist guides accompany all our shore excursions.

Galapagos cruise itinerary at a glance:

Day 1    Interpretation Centre, San Cristobal Island

Day 2   Cerro Brujo, Pitt Point & Pitt Islet, San Cristobal Island

Day 3    Suarez Point & Gardner Bay, Española

Day 4   Cormorant Point, Champion Islet, & Post Office, Floreana Island

Day 5    Highlands El Chato II & Pit Craters, Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz Island

Day 6    El Barranco Prince Philip’s Steps & Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)

Day 7    Rabida Island & Bartolome Island

Day 8    Pit Craters on Santa Cruz Island, and Baltra Airport

(Please note, the itinerary is subject to change considering weather conditions or other circumstances.)

Your Art Safari tutor will take you through field sketching techniques and exercises for island excursions.  Thanks to the strict conservation regulations Galapagos wildlife is not disturbed by human visitors, allowing us to study shapes, textures, colours and behaviour of wildlife at close quarters.  Colourful red and yellow land iguanas and frigate birds will exercise our colour pallets.

We visit the Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding programme takes place, and paint sealions, blue-footed boobies, waved albatross, frigate birds, land and marine iguanas, colourful Sally light-foot crabs, and Darwins’ finches on our island cruise.  Beautiful scenery comes into focus as we approach our landfalls – white sandy beaches and green peridot beaches, cactus forests, mangrove beds, turquoise lagoons and calm rocky bays…

Coral formations, multi-coloured fish and turtles make for dazzling underwater scenery.  The crew will find safe places for swimming and snorkelling with playful Galapagos sealions, and glimmering shoals of parrot and butterfly fish, it is magical to watch turtles grazing on the ocean floor.

At the end of our cruise, we say a reluctant farewell to the Coral II and return to the Ecuadorian mainland for a couple of nights in Quito before our flights home.

On our last full day we can have a leisurely breakfast and spend time exploring the old quarters of Quito. In the Plaza Grande, the historic heart of the city, Ecuadorian elders gather to chat in the leafy shade and hawkers weave through the crowds with panama hats, colourful ice cream and trays of fruit.  There are excellent museums to visit, as well as ornate churches and beautiful squares.  And if you have any space in your suitcase you may wish to do a little shopping – we found gorgeous alpaca woollen goodies last visit, not to mention Ecuadorian chocolate!

The Coral II

With sunbathing and shaded areas, our boat is ideal for painting onboard between our adventures on land.  There’s an observatory, a lounge with panoramic windows and comfy sofas, restaurant and bar serving delicious cocktails (ask the friendly barman for a ‘sea sour’!), a library and a jacuzzi which is lovely to relax in with a drink after snorkelling.

The Coral II has capacity for 18 guests in 9 cabins with portholes or windows, plenty of storage, air conditioning and private bathrooms with a hairdryer.

Shore excursions, and some snorkelling excursions are via RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tenders.  There’s a boarding platform at the stern of the yacht for easy access (or sunbed for the occasional sealion!).  Landings vary according to the tide/wind/waves and are a combination of wet (stepping into the water) and dry, the crew and our guides are brilliantly attentive and always assist us.

The Coral II carries snorkelling equipment for guests to use, with a selection of wetsuits, scuba gear and sea kayaks available to hire.

The boat’s chef and team in the galley produce delicious cuisine which is presented buffet style, with Ecuadorian and vegetarian options.  Some evenings we enjoy BBQ’s served on the moon deck at sunset.  A tea/coffee, naughty snack station and drinking water are available 24 hours a day.

The on-board Library is stocked with books about flora, fauna and Galapagos history.

After our supper every evening our nature guides discuss the following day with pre-dinner briefings; to include wildlife and conservation, landing, terrain and hikes with short films to prepare us.

Would you like to spend longer in South America? 

*****Cloud Forest Extension (5 nights):  After a couple of nights in Quito, head north west to find chocolate, humming birds and toucans in the Cloud Forests for four nights.  Stay in a small eco lodge, and find a mass of colourful birds, as well as spending quiet time with your sketchbook to complete many of the Galapagos sketches.  Please contact us for a quote.

Other suggestions for some extra nights could include, 3 nights/4 days at an Amazon Lodge (reached by 30-minute flight from Quito, and 2-hour motorized canoe trip).  The indigenous market at Otavalo is an interesting day trip from Quito with a private guide.*****

Ask us for more details!